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The historic LaVilla Ritz Theatre &
Museum opened a permanent exhibit to honor Jacksonville’s native sons,
James Weldon and John Rosamond Johnson, the writers and composers of the
Negro National Anthem, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.
The exhibit, which opened February 11,
was originally planned to open sooner, but museum officials had the
opening to coincide with the 101st anniversary of the first performance of
the song, February 12, 1900. To not spoil the dramatic effect of the
finished product, the exhibit was kept a secret until the museum was ready
to show it.
Museum officials decided to have an
exhibit honoring the two brothers, born in Jacksonville’s LaVilla
neighborhood, who became men of considerable fame and distinguished around
the world.
“The scope of their contributions was
worthy of being represented,” said Ritz Theatre & Museum
Administrator, Lydia P. Stewart.
Initial planning for the concept of this
exhibit began around the time the LaVilla Ritz Theatre & Museum
opened. A combination of ideas helped to move the vision along.
At the beginning of the tour is a 14
minute presentation with talking robots, made by Sally Industries,
portraying real life features of the brothers. With the voice
talents of Ozzie Davis and Harry Burney, the robots talk about their life
and the events which led up to the creation of Lift Ev’ry Voice
and Sing. In the
background of the robots area is a small screen that shows pictures of
different places and people they are describing.
“We were trying to do something more
than just reading words or looking at photos. We were taking advantage of
the technology available,” said Ms. Stewart.
After the presentation is over the next
stop on the tour is a piano, which at the push of a button plays one of
four different songs either written or composed by the Johnson brothers
and their friend Bob Cole.
Not only does this exhibit focus on the
Johnson brothers, it also
reproduces scenes of everyday life from the history of African Americans
in Jacksonville through the help of various documents, photographs, and
artifacts. The exhibit takes about 45 minutes to fully experience, not
including the presentation.
The Museum wanted to make sure the
content of the exhibit was not only factual, but entertaining as well as
educating, so that people would want to return a second time and perhaps
tell a friend.
“It’s a very entertaining and fun
experience to sit there and take in,” said Ms. Stewart.
The public’s reaction to this exhibit
has been one of absolute amazement and they have been overwhelmed because
of the quality of animation and audio visual levels, according to Ms.
Stewart .
“There’s nothing like it in a
community setting like this. You would have to go to Disney World to get
something of this magnitude,” said co-founders of Blacksonville.com,
Jermyn Shannon and Michael Jones.
Since the opening, which has been about
two months, over a thousand people have been to view the exhibit. A high
volume of people are expected to come and witness this remarkable
demonstration as it permanently
opens to the public.
This exhibit was not just designed for
Black History Month or the African American community, for that matter.
It is a year round learning experience for ALL racial backgrounds.
Stanton students can become aware of their contributions and have a
greater appreciation about knowing where these great icons came from.
James Weldon Johnson was a principal here at Stanton High School.
If you have not already done so, go out
and see the James Weldon Johnson/John Rosamond Exhibit at the Ritz Theatre
and Museum. You’ll come away leaning a great deal of information and
full of city pride.
“I thought it was real rich and
informative. I recommend it for any and everybody to see,” said The
Museum tour guide, Sheila McKenzy.
Antonia Robinson
is a student at Stanton College Preparatory High School and writer in the
school newspaper "The Devils Advocate". Blacksonville.com
thanks you for your input Ms. Robinson.
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